Among a wide array of harmful cuts to programs for seniors, veterans and rural economic development, Trump’s budget proposal would eliminate nearly $500 million from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that is used to fund water and waste water projects. In 2016, those funds boosted critical water infrastructure in Southeast Missouri through local loans and grants, including:

$9 million loan and nearly $5 million grant to construct a centralized wastewater plant in Cape Girardeau County

$1.5 million loan and $1.4 million grant to upgrade the existing water supply system in Alton, Oregon County

$2 million loan and over $600,000 loan to rehabilitate water systems in New Madrid County

$500,000 loan to improve the failing water system in Koshkonong, Oregon County

Nearly $100,000loan to renovate water distribution systems in Stoddard County

Overall, USDA provided a total of nearly $50 million in federal loans and grants that went toward over 30 water and waste water projects throughout the entire state in 2016. That year, 65% of water and waste water investments from USDA focused on Missouri drinking water projects.
“It looks from his budget, that Donald Trump’s campaign promises to protect rural America are worth about as much as his promise to repeal Obamacare,” stated Missouri Democratic Party Chair Stephen Webber. “We need Representatives who are going tostand up for our state from Donald Trump’s reckless budget that puts the health and safety of Southeast Missouri at risk. Will GOP officeholders like Jason Smith side with Missourians? Or will he run and hide as critical resources for protecting and upgrading our rural water systems are slashed?”

Background:

In 2016, The United State Department of Agriculture funded nearly $50 million in federal loans and grants for over 30 water and waste water projects in Missouri. (USDA 2016)

In 2016, 65% of water and waste water investments from the USDA in Missouri were focused on drinking water projects. (USDA 2016)